Posted on 12/25/2005 12:00:25 PM PST by ncountylee
NEW YORK (AP) -- The world-renown Boys Choir of Harlem, struggling under millions of dollars of debts and allegations that its founder ignored reports of sexual abuse, is being evicted by the city.
The choir has been asked to leave the public school where it practices for free by Jan. 31, 2006. The Boys Choir also provided some instruction at the school, called the Choir Academy of Harlem, as part of a 12-year collaboration with the Department of Education.
The choir failed to fulfill a 2004 agreement to find a new chief executive to replace founder Walter Turnbull, said department attorney Michael Best in a letter Thursday. Turnbull was demoted to artistic director after an investigation concluded he did not act on reports that an employee was sexually abusing a student.
Turnbull has continued to run the organization, the attorney said.
The department also said the choir staff failed to report to the school when expected - apparently because the staff was not being paid due to the choir's financial problems.
In January 2005, the Boys Choir asked the department for $705,000. It said it had debts of up to $5 million and anticipated a deficit of hundreds of thousands of dollars that fiscal year. The department, which had not previously funded the Boys Choir, refused.
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
Hmmmm!
ping for later track, ..interesting situational commentary on life in America.
How can a High School boys choir rack up 5 million in debt?
Choir founder Walter Turnbull had agreed to step down as the choir`s manager after it was revealed he knew one of his staff members was a convicted child molester, The New York Post reported.
You don't think they would do that? Do you? [/sarc]
That's better than the cardinals and bishops did in the Catholic Church scandals. Of course he didn't keep his word but that's a different issue.
I was always under the impression that the choir was paid for its performances. Where did the money go?
Gee, I think I can help...check these addresses out...
55 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027-Bill Clinton.
163 West 125th Street, Suite #737 New York, NY 10027-Charlie Rangel.
I'm SURE that "America's First 'Black President'" would LOVE to give you some space...as would that professional Race-Baiter Rangel!
"How can a High School boys choir rack up 5 million in debt?"
This a shame! Calling Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow big-biz to rescue the wonderful Harlem Boys Choir.
Sounds like some BIG FRAUDULENT PRACTICES that some people had better be held accountable. What amounts of funding and private donations did the Harlem Boys Choir depend upon?
This is a shame...
This is worse than a shame, it's a disgrace.
"This is a shame..."
This is worse than a shame, it's a disgrace.
*You've got the last word: DISGRACE!
That's easy. Leave a Liberal in charge. They'd figure out a way to run up a debt for breathing.
Family just had CNN on, so I was treated to their "coverage" of the issue, which was about as even and complete as a gallon of paint put on a barn by a blind painter.
Instead of "sexual abuse allegations," they said something like "questions about staffing irregularities," and interviewed Turnbull. He whined that they have been given so little warning and didn't say a word about ignoring previous agreements.
Sickening.
Sounds like they need a good audit.
Put Jesse or Al in charge.
Is there an Air America connection here?
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